MCMH children’s wards get essential equipment from Sandals Foundation

The paediatric department of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) has received critical medical equipment valued at a little over 100,000 British pounds from funds raised through the Sandals Foundation Island Challenge in October.

The equipment includes two incubators, one infant warmer, one ultrasound machine with a paediatric echocardiography probe, three SP02 monitors and syringe pumps.

Dr. Mishka Duncan, paediatrician of the MCMH, said they will make an immediate change in the hospital’s ability to care for infants requiring specialised treatment.

“The tools provided will improve how we manage critical cases, allowing us to deliver high-quality, timely care to the most vulnerable members of our community,” Duncan said.

The paediatric department at the MCMH manages neonates and children up to 15 years old, on an in-patient and out-patient basis.

Annually, 600 – 700 children are admitted to the paediatric department, 140 babies to the neonatal intensive care unit and approximately just over 1,000 are admitted to the maternity ward.

“It’s all about ensuring that families have access to life-saving care when they need it most. The right medical equipment can mean the difference between uncertainty and hope, between struggle and survival,” Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation said.

She said the Sandals Foundation believes that investing in healthcare is investing in life itself, strengthening the very foundation of a country’s future.

“We are incredibly proud to support the dedicated team at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital with the tools they need to deliver specialised care to vulnerable infants. This is what true Caribbean connection looks like, coming together to uplift communities, strengthen healthcare systems, and create lasting change for generations to come,” Clarke said.

The Sandals Foundation Island Challenge brought together over 30 athletes from the UK and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who completed a gruelling four-day journey of running and kayaking across the islands to raise funds for the initiative.

Thanks to their dedication and the generous support of local and UK sponsors and partners, including the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment; the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, Team Athletics SVG, and a team from Unique Vacations UK Ltd., an affiliate of the worldwide sales and marketing representatives for Sandals Resorts, over 100,000 British pounds was raised to enhance paediatric healthcare services in the region, the foundation said in a press release.